What You're Saying

Charles Wells at 4:19:24 PM on 2/14/2014

$300,000 from our NYS tax dollars to study wintertime wood smoke and its relation to cardiovascular disease? Makes you want to have a heart attack...it's too cold to be outside anyway. We should limit the number of wood chips. The Safe Act for wood?

James Karls at 5:15:17 PM on 2/14/2014

So after years of Eastman Kodak polluting Rochester's air with thousands of tons of coal from their coal fired energy plant and dumping carcinogens into the Genesee River at the King's Landing Pumping Station we're now going to study the affect of fire wood on our collective... Read More >

So after years of Eastman Kodak polluting Rochester's air with thousands of tons of coal from their coal fired energy plant and dumping carcinogens into the Genesee River at the King's Landing Pumping Station we're now going to study the affect of fire wood on our collective cardio-vascular systems. At one point, Monroe County had the lowest air quality in all of New York State but now there are areas of town called "cancer clusters" (Steko Avenue, the entire 10th Ward, etc.) where the rates of breast, brain, pancreatic and lung cancers are mysteriously high.Of course Kodak was humming along at that point and everyone looked the other way. Now URMC's going to tell us if wood smoke is bad for us. Too much, too little, too late. God have mercy on the souls of the who died while corporate American "cleaned our clock". Thanks a bunch!! < close

michael thornton at 9:52:14 PM on 2/15/2014

Residential wood smoke is an air pollutant and human health risk. While many feel it's an innocent and wonderful aroma, it is much more dangerous than those feelings assume.

People with breathing difficulties are put at risk when breathing soot caused by unburned woo... Read More >

Residential wood smoke is an air pollutant and human health risk. While many feel it's an innocent and wonderful aroma, it is much more dangerous than those feelings assume.

People with breathing difficulties are put at risk when breathing soot caused by unburned wood particulates. The lungs of young children are put at risk. Now it appears that wood burning affects the cardiovascular system. I am always amazed that parents are so concerned about their children except when it comes to carbon contamination and it’s detrimental affects on their children’s health.

According to the EPA:Smoke resulting from improperly burned wood contains many chemical substances that are considered harmful such as hazardous air pollutants (HAPs), fine particle pollution (ash), and volatile organic compounds (VOC).• HAPs are an important component of wood smoke. A group of HAPs known as polycyclic organic matter includes benzo(a)pyrene, which may cause cancer.• Particle pollution in smoke can damage lung tissue and lead to serious respiratory problems when breathed in high concentrations. In low concentrations, particle pollution in wood smoke can harm the health of children, the elderly, and those with existing respiratory diseases.

Secondly, poorly burned wood sneaks into homes whenever a door or window is opened. That burnt wood smell sticks on clothes and furniture. In some cases it stains like nicotine does in the home of a heavy smoker.

I live downwind of a wood burning home or business that forces me to tightly close my windows and doors so the dirty smell doesn’t invade the entire home. It also makes me clear my lungs since it is so poorly burnt. Wood burning contamination is a nuisance and a health hazard.

Penfield apparently lets anyone burn anything in their home regardless of the consequences to others. The local government and many unaware or uncaring residents talk foolishly of ‘it’s my right since it’s my property and I can do what I want.’ That half-witted thought process leaves out one important matter. If you affect others with your actions, it is no longer your right. If you want to have unburned wood pollution in your home that’s fine, but once that pollution leaves your property it becomes an issue. The commons are for everyone, not just the selfish, unknowledgeable and inconsiderate.

Wood burning in tightly packed neighborhoods needs to be regulated because it is harmful to health and home.< close